Noctule Bat

The common noctule is a type of bat that feeds on insects and is found across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. With dark brown fur that takes on a reddish-brown hue before winter, these bats maintain a body temperature of around 36.5°C when awake. Adult common noctules typically weigh between 25-30 grams and boast an impressive wingspan of 37-40 cm. When foraging for food, they can reach speeds of 20-40 km/h. Since their insect prey is not always available, they often experience short active periods and can fast for up to 23 hours a day.

These bats prefer deciduous forests and are known to be migratory. Notably, it's mainly the females that migrate, while the males tend to stay in their home ranges. Mating occurs in late summer, but females store the sperm until spring, when fertilization takes place. The females then migrate north to give birth after a 6-8 week pregnancy, typically producing one or two pups each year.

During the colder months, common noctules hibernate in colonies, favoring caves or structures like church steeples for their long rest. Their diet primarily consists of beetles, moths, and winged ants, which they locate using echolocation calls ranging from 26-47 kHz and 22-33 kHz when hunting.

These bats usually inhabit small to medium-sized woodlands but can venture up to 20 km away from their roosts at night to forage. By day, they roost in tree holes or bat boxes and can sometimes be found in urban areas. Due to their declining population, the common noctule is protected under various conservation laws and treaties. To highlight their conservation needs, BatLife Europe named the common noctule as the bat species of the year in both 2016 and 2017.